Arcigay Catania and the Province of Catania. Anti-discrimination protocol.

On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses. And now, May 17 is celebrated worldwide as the International Day Against Homophobia, an event promoted by the European Union with the aim of reaffirming the right to respect.
In this regard, the President of the Catania Province, Giuseppe Castiglione, and the President of Arcigay Catania, Sandro Mangano, have signed a memorandum of understanding that provides for the establishment of a provincial observatory against all forms of discrimination. "With this initiative," said President Castiglione, "we are reinforcing Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which prohibits any form of discrimination based on sex, race, color, ethnic or social origin, genetic characteristics, language, religion, personal beliefs, political opinions, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
The principles of equal treatment – concluded the president – are at the heart of the European social model that our province must also be inspired by.".
Before the signing, President Castiglione invited Ilde Capizzi, a student in the first year of the Capizzi College's classical high school, to read her poem about diversity. This particularly touching and beautifully written text won the poetry competition organized by the Province of Catania for its 150th anniversary.
«"It is a sign of profound civility and great social commitment," said Sandro Mangano, president of Arcigay Catania, "that the Province of Catania, and in particular its President Giuseppe Castiglione, have shown today with the signing of a memorandum of understanding that is unprecedented in the history of this region. The LGBT community feels less alone in the difficult battle for the implementation of principles clearly enshrined in the Italian Constitution and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, but too often disregarded when dealing with cases of homosexuality. The news reports terrible stories of intolerance and abuse, and many more are kept untold out of fear or shame. Our voice," Mangano concluded, "always raised in denouncing such abominations, is now stronger thanks to the support of a serious and authoritative partner like the Province of Catania. Today begins a journey that, we are confident, will bear fruit.".
The provincial councilor for social policies, Pippo Pagano, was also present at the signing of the protocol.